By a vote of 357 – 67, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation designating $25 million in funding over five years for DNA testing that could help prove the innocence of some death row inmates. The bill also provides funding for states to improve the quality of legal representation for those facing capital charges. The bipartisan-supported bill, entitled The Advancing Justice Through DNA Technology Act of 2003 (H.R. 3214), includes a comprehensive package of programs that provides over $1 billion over the next five years to assist Federal and State authorities in solving crimes and protecting the innocent. The U.S. Senate is considering a similar measure. (Associated Press, November 5, 2003) See Innocence.
Citation Guide
- Death Penalty Information Center (2025, March 14). House Overwhelmingly Passes DNA Bill That Includes The Innocence Protection Act. Retrieved October 3, 2026, from https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/house-overwhelmingly-passes-dna-bill-that-includes-the-innocence-protection-act
- Death Penalty Information Center. “House Overwhelmingly Passes DNA Bill That Includes The Innocence Protection Act.” Last modified March 14, 2025. Accessed October 3, 2026. https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/house-overwhelmingly-passes-dna-bill-that-includes-the-innocence-protection-act.
- Death Penalty Information Center. “House Overwhelmingly Passes DNA Bill That Includes The Innocence Protection Act.” Death Penalty Information Center, 14 Mar. 2025, https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/house-overwhelmingly-passes-dna-bill-that-includes-the-innocence-protection-act. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.